Two scared Silkies!

[Fowl_language]

Hey all!
I just bought two adorable 3 month old silkies. Im not sure if this is normal but they are terrified of people, they hate to be touched and scream when I pick them up. Ive never had this problem before as my other chooks have been hand raised from chics.. Is this something they will grow out of? They wont eat any food that i offer them out of my hand or even that I place down on the ground... even Corn!! my other chooks go crazy for corn but the silkies wont touch it. The guy I bought them off said they had little contact with people, aparently they lived on an old ladies property with about 60 or so silkies and just free ranged. They wont socialise with my other birds either..
Please give me some advice, I hate that they are scared of me, plus it makes it really difficult to get them to roost at night!
CHEERS,
liam.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Give them time and keep bribing them with treats. A way to a chickens heart is through their stomach!

If they were free ranged all the time and had little contact, that is probably the reason for the screaming.

 

[Fowl_language]

have you ever had any experience with silkies? Ive read they are normally quite socialable. Also do you think I should build a seperate coup for them in the run? because they seemed really terrified of my Australorps.

 

[CMV]

I can sympathize. My new ducklings are so frightened of everything that they trampled one of themselves to death because their neighbors (month old chicks) were being a little raucous. It is frustrating to have animals so fearful of any contact. My ducklings are starting to warm up a tiny bit because of the constant stream of hand fed treats they are getting. It's a slow process, though.

Good luck with yours. Wish me luck with mine.

 

[Fowl_language]

GOOD LUCK!!!!!! poor little duckiling

it sounds like persistance is going to be the real winner here!

Does anyone have any ideas what a silkies favourite treat might be? Ive tried all kinds of veggies but they wont touch them.. I could try worms? I havent tried egg yet either.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

My Silkies are very friendly. Try the egg and see what they think. Like I said before, keep handling them and feeding them treats. Eventually you will find something that they like.

 

[Fowl_language]

Ah thanks so much for your help! I will keep at it!!

One more question, how old are silkies when they start to lay?

CHeers!!

 

[suebee]

Usually around 20 weeks they start to lay. My silkies are very friendly but hate to be touched. They will all gather around me but picking them up or petting them is out of the question. They normally will not jump up on your lap, but will sit next to you. Treats! Treats! Treats!

 

[StupidBird]

treats? stale Cheerios. Pancakes. Live bugs, grubs and worms (but watch your fingers!). Popped popcorn.

 

[rokkyb]

GOOD LUCK!!!!!! poor little duckiling

it sounds like persistance is going to be the real winner here!

Does anyone have any ideas what a silkies favourite treat might be? Ive tried all kinds of veggies but they wont touch them.. I could try worms? I havent tried egg yet either.